The List - Pensacola, FL
The top 10 must-dos in Pensacola, FL
Blue Angels
© DAN BARBA/PHOTOLIBRARY
1 Blue Angels
Starting this month, catch the breathtaking stunts of this legendary aerobatics team. The expert pilots soar at 700mph over Naval Air Station Pensacola. Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8:30am through November; www.blueangels.navy.mil
2 Historic Pensacola Village
In this quaint neighborhood of 27 preserved properties, stroll through 450 years of Pensacola’s rich history, from its dusty Spanish frontier days to the Roaring Twenties. A 45-minute guided tour explores architectural treasures like Old Christ Church, one of Florida's oldest (1832). 205 E Zaragoza St; 850-595-5985; www.historicpensacola.org
3 Fort Pickens
Pitch a tent on this section of the 160-mile-long Gulf Islands National Seashore, cradled between Pensacola Sound and the Gulf of Mexico. Surfboards, kayaks and fishing rods are required accessories (it’s BYO equipment), and tales of Geronimo await inside the fort itself. 1400 Ft. Pickens Rd, Santa Rosa Island; 850-934-2600; www.nps.gov/guis
4 Portofino Boardwalk
Just steps from the sugar-white sand of Pensacola Beach, this open-air boardwalk is the essence of the laidback, flip-flop lifestyle. After a day of shopping, head to Sandshaker Lounge for live music and the legendary, Kahlúa-heavy “Bushwacker” cocktail. www.visitpensacolabeach.com
5 National Naval Aviation Museum
Thousands of artifacts and 150-plus stunningly restored aircraft cover 100 years of military history at one of the world’s largest aviation museums. Harness the thrill of flight in the F-14 simulator and during the Magic of Flight IMAX film. 1750 Radford Blvd; 850-4523604; www.navalaviation.museum.org
6 USS Oriskany
A scuba diving trip to the largest artificial reef in existence is not for beginners. Although 70 feet down gets you to the top of this historic aircraft carrier’s island, the best views of colorful marine plants and animals are found 120 feet underwater. 814-680-0015; www.divemightyo.com
7 The Fish House
Indulge in the signature Grits à YaYa — a saucy blend of Gulf jumbo shrimp, sautéed spinach, portobello mushrooms, bacon, garlic, shallots and cream on a mound of smoked Gouda cheese grits — on the breezy deck (complete with a fire pit) of this dockside restaurant. 600 S Barracks St; 850-4700003; www.goodgrits.com
8 Scout
Owner Julia Ussery, a former design exec at Elie Tahari and Calvin Klein, moved back home from New York City to open this high-fashion downtown boutique. Trust her taste in top contemporary brands — like Alice & Olivia, Joie and Alexis Bittar — and you'll be runway ready in no time. 404 E Wright St; 850-607-7105; www.shopscoutonline.com
9 Seville Quarter
Shake it at a two-floor dance club, rock out to live bands or imbibe the famous Flaming Hurricane while singing along to dueling pianos at this seven-venuesin-one nightlife hotspot. 130 E Government St; 850-434-6211; www.sevillequarter.com
10 Saenger Theatre
This Spanish Baroque/Rococostyle theater, open since 1925, was recently returned to its former glory thanks to a stunning $15 million renovation and expansion. This month, groove to the timeless tunes of ABBA when Mamma Mia comes to town (March 15-17). 118 S Palafox Pl; 850-595-3880; www.pensacolasaenger.com
Reader Comments
- Seville Quarter is one of the best night clubs in the world. I have been in many counties and Seville Quarter is right up there with different clubs in New York, Vegas and anything that Europe has to offer. There are seven different clubs in one city block all catering to different groups. Starting off in Rosie O'Grady's Dueling Piano Show that is packed all night long in one of the most beautiful bars I have ever had drinks in the world. Seville Quarter has an outdoor, gas lit area called the End O' the Alley Bar with different bands from Reggae to Greatful Dead music type jam bands. The End O 'the Alley Bar features imported and small batch draft beers, I think they have about 20 different beers. There is one room that is a blues bar called Lili Marlene's. This bar is a WWI Aviator’s pub and has old model planes on the ceiling. The room looks like a British pub with old tables and chairs. The bar is so cool and very old. The bartender told me it was from the old Blackstone Hotel in Chicago. There is another room with pool tables and sports memorabilia all over the walls. The owners must have a lot of friends in the big time sports world with signed pictures and jerseys from people like Emmitt Smith, Roy Jones, and Jack Nicklaus to Tiger Woods. There are lots of big screens TVs in the room to watch all the different sporting games. The next room is called Apple Annie's and they play Rock N Roll in this room with some of the most talented bands on the Gulf Coast. Seville Quarter has a great restaurant called the Palace Cafe and it features local seafood, steaks and a great hamburger. They also open at 6am in the morning for coffee and beignets (little French donuts, like Cafe du Monde in New Orleans) They have attached to the Palace Cafe a great little wine shop with very eclectic wines from all around the world. On the far side of the building the biggest room is called Phineas Phogg's and this room is where it really happens. This is Pensacola's largest dance club. They have a very good light show and a great DJ playing videos and spinning great dance music until 3am in the morning. Seville Quarter is a place you have to visit if you are anywhere near Pensacola or the Gulf Coast of Florida. The staff is very nice and very knowledgeable. Seville Quarter is just like going to New Orleans but much cleaner and safer. I would recommend this place to everyone, check it out their web page is www.sevillequarter.com
(Posted on 16 Jun 2011)
